kitten wont suckle.

I have a young female kitten who WILL NOT take the bottle. She just attacks it like a hunk of meat. Chewed the first nipple off in about 10 seconds. I picked her and 3 other litter mates up the same day. The other 3 went to my sister in law and hers are doing great. The lady we got them from says they are about 5 to 6 weeks old but i dunno.
The reason i decided to get formula is because she seems so small,kinda bony, shes rooting on me all the time and complaining...seems hungry. We just visited my sister in law and hers are plump and big, my little sammy girl is just teeny.
She still plays and explores the house and her and my older cat (also less than a year old) play. Just wish she would take the bottle. She does lap it up though so its ok right? I just need some reassurance that she will thrive soon i bought kmr brand milk replacer.....ive heard its the best? If she is 5 to 6 weeks shouldnt she be done with the milk soon? Its more expensive than baby formula!!
Lost and love my kitty

At 5-6 weeks she is well old enough for real food, either raw, wet or dry (Royal Canin Baby cat is made for kittens starting out). Along with a dish of formula.

Why is she on her own? She would benefit greatly being with her littermates. 

We wanted a playmate for our cat and my sister in law recently had to put down her cat due to age and sickness and her kids were just devastated. So we found this litter and it was a perfect fit for both of us. So shes not with the others because we only wanted one kitten. I guess i havnt had a real little kitten for awhile because when we first got them i thought they were plenty old. Only now a few weeks later am i doubting her readiness to be on her own. I have been reading up on all kinds of websites trying to judge her age and they are all saying about 6 weeks. I guess maybe i am a little too worried....

Sometimes it is best to let the kitten decide when she is grown up enough for food . The kitten is old enough for wet food if she wants it but you can also try formula in a bowl. The chewing may be because of hunger. I also find a paper plate with the food is best - they can climb right on and make a mess, but it seems the easiest way for them to get the whole eating concept. Just be sure to remove the plate when your done so she doesn;t try eating the plate.

As long as she is taking food and putting on weight, then it doesn't matter how she takes it, though many kittens like to suckle for comfort. If you are not already doing it then I would weigh her daily, on a scale designed to measure ounces or grams. That will be good for your peace of mind as well as alerting you if htere is a problem. She will gain at varying rates, but as long as it goes up then you are probably OK. But it would be best for her (and you in the long run) if she could stay with her littermates for at least a few more weeks. Without other cats around she will lack the socialising skills that can lead to biting or other aggressive behaviour later. Normally the momcat disciplines her kittens and shows them what is acceptable behaviour and it makes life a lot easier for hte owners! Is it possible that once you are sure she is eating and thriving, she could go with them for a while?

holly87 said:

Only now a few weeks later am i doubting her readiness to be on her own. I have been reading up on all kinds of websites trying to judge her age and they are all saying about 6 weeks. I guess maybe i am a little too worried....

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You are quite right to be worried. That's why it's best she goes back with her littermates for around 4-6 weeks, kittens should stay with their mums for 12 weeks so this little girl has much to learn from her littermates. Orphans are a lot of work, with no mother to show them how little cats should behave.

Has she seen a vet at all? Been dewormed and deflead? You can also put her on Hills AD wet food, it's designed for kittens and cats that need an added boost. I've seen many kittens pulled through with it, along with Pet Nutri Drops. When she is stable switch her to a better long term food.

AW she was much too young to be taken from mom... I am sending loads of vibes that this little one is starting to eat for you :cross:

Snertsmom said:

 you can also try formula in a bowl.

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A shallow plate is the trick!  Easier for them to get down.

The advice she could be with her littermates some weeks more is good,  and the optimal here, as it is no big deal for you to do it - everything stays in the family, and the switch later on when she is say 10 weeks shouldnt give any problems.  You can also visit her..

Otherwise, you having a  friendly and playful resident is good so with a little luck it should work out OK.

Welcome to our site!

Good luck!   *vibes*

ps.  Yes, the brand KMR is supposed to be one of the best of the kitten milk replacements.

Not the cheapest, but one of the better yes.

You can proceed to use it as a fill up even if you manage to get her eat say wet food, as she is skinny as you say.